Andrew Johnson Had A Tough Inauguration

One of the interesting facts about Andrew Johnson is he had a tough inauguration. Typhoid fever was significantly more prevalent in the United States during Johnson's time than it is now, and Johnson just so happened to contract the illness on March 4, 1865, the day before Lincoln was inaugurated. Even though he recovered, he was still under the weather on the day of the event. He drank whisky to ease the symptoms. As a result, Johnson gave a rambling speech in the Senate Chamber in front of Lincoln, the Congress, and dignitaries. He eventually came to a stop, almost incoherent at moments, and Hamlin quickly swore him in as vice president. Following his own swearing-in outside the Capitol, Lincoln, who had observed the disaster with sadness, gave his lauded Second Inaugural Address.

Johnson's public intoxication sparked rumors that he had a drinking issue. Lincoln was compelled to respond to the allegations, assuring Washington that they hadn't merely installed a drunk in the Executive Branch. Johnson only briefly presided over the Senate in the weeks following the inauguration, hiding from the public eye at Francis Preston Blair's Maryland residence.